BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions occurs in 2 to 10% of patients with herpes zoster. It occurs mainly in old or debilitated persons especially those who have immunologic defects such as lymphoproliferative diseases, AIDS, or recipients of immunosuppressive therapy. The reported incidence of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions is variable. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the incidence and clinical features of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data of 962 patients with herpes zoster by retrospective methods. The annual incidence, age, sex, seasonal variation, predilection sites, and associated conditions of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions were analyzed from January 1990 to December 1996 (7 years). RESULTS: 1. Among 962 patients, 8 patients with herpes zoster revealed generalixed varicelliform eruptions (0.83%). 2. The age ranged from 20 to 85 and the majority of cases occurred in the 6th decade. There were 4 females and 4 males. 3. Past histories of malignancy were observed in 2 patients. However, there were no signs of malignancy at the time of diagnosis of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions. 4. The most common site of initial lesion was the thoracic dermatome,followed by the lumbar and the cervical ones. CONCLUSION: From our observation, it is suggested that herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions may occur in patients without underlying malignancy or immunosuppressive disorders. Sudden incidental uprising of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions was observed in 1996.
Clinical Study* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental deaths worldwide, but its pathological diagnosis remains a challenge for forensic pathologists owing to a lack of pathognomonic findings in drowning deaths and inconclusive autopsy findings caused by postmortem changes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pathway taken by inhaled drowning medium through the airway after death in a variety of experimental conditions, including underwater pressurization. We used methylene blue dye to monitor the spread of drowning medium to the lungs. Results of theses experiments demonstrated that it is possible for a significant amount of downing medium to enter the airway during immersion after death. Our results suggest that autopsies of immersed bodies and interpretation of these findings should be performed with special care.
Animal Experimentation* ; Animals* ; Autopsy ; Diagnosis ; Drowning* ; Immersion ; Inhalation* ; Lung ; Methylene Blue* ; Postmortem Changes

No abstract available.
Coronary Vessels* ; Mammary Arteries* ; Transplants*

No effective therapy has yet developed for liver fibrosis/cirrhosis by directly inhibiting the accumulation of extracellular matrix. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of tetrandrine in rat model of liver fibrosis induced by carborn tetrachloride (CCl4) administration intraorally. Tetrandrine, a calcium channel blocker, is anti-inflammatory constituent of the families Menispermaceae and Ranunculaceae, which have been used as folk remedies in China. Repeated administration of CCl4 for 14 weeks to rats induced liver fibrosis with steatosis. Rats were killed after 4, 8 or 14 weeks of treatment with CCl4, CCl4 tetrandrine (30 mg/kg) or CCl4 tetrandrine (50 mg/kg). The histopathological findings of liver were observed semi-quantitatively by light microscopy and volume percentage of the collagen deposition was determined by image analyzer. Tetrandrine inhibited collagen deposition induced by CCl4 administration, as shown by less severe steatosis and fibrosis and significantly decreased volume percentage of collagen fibers in CCl4 tetrandrine treated animals compared with CCl4 only group. Thus, the administration of tetrandrine holds great promise for treating subjects with liver fibrosis/cirrhosis as a result of chronic hepatic injury.
Animals ; Calcium Channels ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; China ; Collagen ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Fibrosis* ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Medicine, Traditional ; Menispermaceae ; Microscopy ; Models, Animal ; Ranunculaceae ; Rats*

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Nevus*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Inpatients*

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of atropine therapy on myopic progression in myopic children. METHODS: Fifty myopic patients, aged from 7 to 14 years and less than -5 diopters, visited our clinic for correction of refractive error from August 2001, and were followed up for at least 1 year. Of these 50 patients, the atropine therapy group was 23 and the control group was 27. Right eye cycloplegic refraction and axial length changes of the two groups were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: There was a mean increase of myopia of 0.25+/-0.43 D/yr in the atropine therapy group and of 0.83+/-0.37 D/yr in the control group (P=0.000). There was a mean increase of axial length of 0.12+/-0.19 mm/yr in the atropine therapy group and 0.39+/-0.21 mm/yr in the control group (P=0.000). In refraction and axial length changes according to age, there was no statistically significant difference within the group, aged from 7 to 9 years. However, there was a statistically significant difference within the group, aged from 10 to 14 years. In refraction and axial length changes according to myopic grade, there were a statistically significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Atropine therapy is effective in slowing the myopic progression in myopic children with refractive error less than -5 diopters.
Child ; Male ; Female ; Humans

Phacomatosis pigmentovascularis (PPV) is a rare syndrome characterized by concurrent nevus flammeus (capillary malformation) and pigmentary nevus. According to current research, the major pathophysiologic mechanism in PPV is venous dysplasia with resultant compensatory collateral channels and venous hypertension. Arterial involvement is rare. We herein report our experience on renovascular hypertension, intermittent claudication, and severe rhabdomyolysis due to diffuse stenosis of multiple arteries in a patient with PPV type IIb associated with SWS.
Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; Intermittent Claudication ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes* ; Nevus ; Port-Wine Stain ; Rhabdomyolysis* ; Sturge-Weber Syndrome* ; Vascular Diseases

Horizontal Mattress Suture Technique on Microvascular Anastomosis of rat (body weight: 200-250 gm) femoral artery was evaluated. The present study was conducted to compare the horizontal mattress suture with simple interrupted suture on the suture time, patency rate of the sutured vessels, and the histological changes of surgical site of the vessel wall during wound healing period. The mean suture time of the vessel wall with horizontal mattress suture technique was 15 min 49 sec ± 2.14, which is significantly shorter than that of simple interrupted suture technique. The patency rate of the sutured vessel in both groups was statistically not different each other till post-operative 3rd day but patency rate of horizontal mattress suture was higher than that of simple interrupted suture at post-operative 3rd week. The histological findings such as intimal noss, medial degeneration and intimal regeneration were similar in both groups.
Animals ; Femoral Artery ; Rats ; Regeneration ; Suture Techniques* ; Sutures* ; Wound Healing

No abstract available.
Animals ; Brain* ; Corpus Striatum* ; Neurons* ; Neuropeptides* ; Rats*